Youth Team Seal Dramatic Comeback

Oldham Athletic youth team produced a stunning comeback as they beat Preston North End youth team 3-2 at Chorley.

Central defender George Edmundson popped up with two headers to draw the scores level and Callum Scullion sealed the second half comeback with a bullet header giving the goalkeeper no chance.

Preston had led 2-0 at the break through goals from Jonathan Lunny and Harry Hagon but Scullion's winner puts Latics' youth team just a point behind their opponents with a game in hand.

Substitute Lee Knight saw red late on for Latics, picking up two bookings.

Latics started the game on the front foot and should have been in the lead early on. After Preston's goalkeeper pulled off a superb save, Ben Grant was presented with a chance from six yards but could only fire over.

Midway through the first half, Latics again went close to taking the lead but the hosts somehow managed to clear off the line.

On the half hour mark, it was Preston that took the lead through Lunny. The forward raced through on goal and confidently finished past Joel Coleman to give the young Lilywhites the lead.

Less than five minutes later the hosts had doubled their advantage. This time Lunny turned provider as his cross was glanced in at the near post by Hagon to extend their advantage.

Athletic finished the half strongly but were unable to get a goal back before the break. Jack Tuohy was the first to go close before Callum Etches and Jordache Walters both were denied by the Preston goalkeeper.

Latics came out firing after the half time break and pulled a goal straight back. After Scullion's header was saved by the goalkeeper, Edmundson prodded home from two yards to reduce the arrears.

Devante Jacobs, who had appeared on the bench for the first team in the last two games, could have brought the scores level two minutes later but a superb save from Dalton in the Preston goal denied the striker.

On the hour mark, Latics were level. Another corner from Tuohy caused havoc in the Lilywhites box and Edmundson rose highest to nod home the equaliser.

Athletic's youth team were in the ascendancy and exploited the exposed Preston defence a minute later.

A third corner from the boot of Tuohy this time found the head of Scullion and he thundered the ball past the goalkeeper to seal the dramatic comeback.

Both sides had chances after the goal and made changes but the ball would not fall for either side.

With only minutes remaining, Knight entered the field as a last minute substitute and had an eventful few minutes.

Firstly, the striker should have finished the game off as he skied the ball over from four yards before his first booking for standing in front of a free kick.

His second yellow and subsequent red came when he lunged into a tackle and the referee had no other choice but to send the striker off.

Manager Tony Philliskirk did not dwell on that and praised his side for a magnificent comeback.

He said: "It was a fantastic result against a massive team. We played them earlier in the season and a lot of them where a lot taller than me!

"It was quite difficult conditions for the players as the pitch cut up and was quite heavy. That being said, we played some really good football and calved them open several times and missed good chances.

"We forced a lot of pressure on the Preston goal in the second half, which I told them to do at half time, and Tuohy delivered three superb corners into the box and we managed to get ahead.

"We won a lot of first headers and first challenges and saw the game out professionally for what was a magnificent win.

"The boys have only played one game between the start of December so it's been ridiculous with the weather and to win away at Walsall and Preston, who are the most physical in the league, gives testament to the players.

"The players showed grit determination and desire to come back and at any level, that's a great achievement. There were a lot of positive traits to come out the game."